Compact laser simulator

Abstract

An eye-safe compact laser simulator for simulating a laser spot on or off axis. The simulator used to test laser range and spot receivers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compact laser simulator for simulating a laser spot on or off axis when testing laser range and spot receivers and the like, the simulator comprising: a stationary mount having an electrical power source connected thereto;   an electronic control housing rotatably attached to the mount and the power source, the housing having electronic controls therein;   a light source mounting plate attached to the front of the control housing;   an "on" axis light source mounted in the center of the mounting plate; and   at least one "off" axis light source mounted on the mounting plate and in a spaced relationship to the "on" axis light source, the "on" axis and "off" axis light sources connected to the electronic controls.   
     
     
       2. The simulator as described in claim 1 wherein the "on" light source and "off" axis light source are diodes. 
     
     
       3. The simulator as described in claim 1 wherein the mounting plate defines an X and Y axis and the mounting plate and control housing rotate about a Z axis, the "on " axis light source centered on the Z axis. 
     
     
       4. The simulator as described in claim 3 further including a plurality of "off" axis light sources disposed in a spaced relationship to each other and the "on" axis light source along the X axis. 
     
     
       5. A compact laser simulator for simulating a laser spot on or off axis when testing laser range and spot receivers and the like, the simulator comprising: a stationary rear mount having an electrical power source connected thereto;   an elongated electronic control housing rotatably mounted at one end to the rear mount and electrical power source and along a Z axis through the center of the elongated control housing, the housing having electronic controls therein;   an light source mounting plate attached to the other end of the control housing, the mounting plate defining a X, Y focal plane;   an "on" axis eye-safe light source mounted in the center of the mounting plate and on the Z axis;   a plurality of "off" axis eye-safe light sources mounted on the mounting plate and in a spaced realtionship to each other and the "on" axis light source, the "off" axis light sources and "on" axis light source connected to the electonic controls in the housing.   
     
     
       6. The simulator as described in claim 5 wherein the "on" axis light source and "off" axis sources are diodes. 
     
     
       7. The simulator as described in claim 5 wherein the "on" axis light source and the "off" axis light sources are connected to fiber optic pigtails located in the focal plane defined by the X and Y axis of the mounting plate. 
     
     
       8. A compact laser simulator for simultating a laser spot on or off axis when testing laser range and spot receivers or the like, the simulator comprising: a stationary rear mount having an electrical power source connected thereto;   an elongated housing rotatably mounted at one end to the rear mount and the power source and along a Z axis through the center of the housing, a diode mounting plate attached to the other end of the housing, the plate defining an X, Y focal plane;   an "on" axis diode mounted in the center of the mounting plate and on the Z axis;   a plurality of "off" axis diodes mounted on the mounting plate and along the X axis and in a spaced relationship to each other and the "on" axis diode.   
     
     
       9. The simulator as described in claim 8 further including fiber optic pigtails connected to the "on" axis and "off" axis diodes for providing a more narrow spacing along the focal plane of the mounting plate.